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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Griffith for State Senate

Here's an interesting primary race for the Oregon Senate: Republicans in District 19, which includes Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, and Dunthorpe, are faced with a choice between Steve Griffith and Mary Kremer. The winner will take on incumbent Democrat Richard Devlin in November.

I've blogged about Steve Griffith before -- he's my good friend and former law school classmate, and one of the most decent fellows on the planet. His track record, going all the way back to his days chairing the Portland school board, on which he served two terms, is one of careful moderation. His opponent, a former investment banker, is a newcomer to the political scene, but her husband, hard-core Republican activist and right-wing radio talker Rob Kremer, is a familiar figure.

I'm not a Republican, nor do I play one on TV, but I do know that as between Steve Griffith and Rob Kremer, the former's a thoughtful, moderate person, and the other is a dyed-in-the-wool Palinite sloganeer with a bit of a nasty edge personally. As for Mary Kremer, it remains to be seen whether her views would deviate much from those of her spouse. I couldn't bear to argue with the guy, even when I was getting paid to do it on the radio; maybe she's willing to take on the role of differing with him, but maybe not.

Anyway, to stay on the positive tip, as Griffith would, let me say that the GOP in that district could not find a better representative in the Senate than Steve. The guy is an adult consensus-builder who could actually make sane things happen in the Legislature.

38th District
VOTE FOR CHRIS GARRETT
Halfway through our interview, we had to ask Chris Garrett's opponent, Steve Griffith, why he was a Republican. Until that point, the two attorneys—from rival firms—had largely agreed on everything. And Griffith is the guy that another Democratic legislative candidate pegged as "the only one who doesn't know he's a Democrat." Griffith pointed to his refusal to sign a no-new-taxes pledge, and stressed that he didn't want Oregon to become a one-party state.

I grew up in Oregon when our US Senators were Hatfield and Packwood, two of the "Reasonable Republicans." That species is dead, killed off by Bill Kristol in the 90s and the Tea Party today. People like Steve, who carry forward a pragmatic conservatism and acknowledge that political discourse involves compromise with their rivals across the aisle, find themselves unwelcome in John Boehner's GOP.

Bad for the GOP. Good for the rest of us. And ultimately, good for Steve, who is a splendid guy.

Progressives like progressive Democrats AND progressive Republicans. As long as progress means moving toward a big government socialist democracy. Wether it is Mussolini and Stalin were both progressives, just in a different way.

Steve is a Republican who fits his district. This does not mean he's like a Democrat. His approach & his priorities will be very different from those of Mr. Devlin's. Steve values civility & civic engagement. He appreciates this contested primary for what it is: a contest of ideas. Until she proves otherwise, I think Mary Kremer is a fine person & candidate. I think that she should have a number of public debates with Steve to enrich this primary season. I think Mr. Devlin should be invited as well to participate in community forums. This may show voters in the primary who is best to tackle Devlin in the fall. I think Mr. Devlin, with the way he conducted himself in the Measure 66&67 ballot writing controversy, showed that he values divisive and crass politics. Devlin can learn a thing or two about civics from Steve.

"a dyed-in-the-wool Palinite sloganeer with a bit of a nasty edge personally"

Jack, that doesn't fit Kremer, and it's a bit of sloganeering itself. I agree with Ben. Kremer's no flamer [there's a slogan for the campaign] - on his radio show, he's well-informed and civil, and lib co-host Marc Abrams frequently ends up agreeing with him. He'd have been a far better Education boss than the incumbent OEA handmaiden/timeserver.

As a former student of Steve's who has accompanied him to the Oregon Dorchester Republican Convention twice, I am proud to say that he will represent the district well as a thoughtful and moderate conservative. Steve is dedicated to jobs, education, health and a just, wise and representative government. As a consensus builder and one who is experienced in government, Steve will do an excellent job as State Legislature.

Jack, it's too bad that your experience co-hosting a few radio shows with Rob Kremer taints your views on whether someones spouse may be a reputable candidate. I think in some respects you agreed with Rob Kremer' OR School Superintendent candidacy on the issues of CIM/CAM being a disaster for teachers and students and the value of Charter Schools. But those are Rob's stances and not Mary's. She's running for a legislative position that has much broader issues. Mary and Griffith's discussion of state-wide issues (if ever reported) should be the determining factors of how one votes.

But why would the Republicans nominate a guy who is basically a Democrat?

Because they won't win the seat otherwise. This is a classic case where Republicans either nominate a moderate who can possibly win the seat (and who will vote for party leadership if elected); or they vote for purity with no chance at all of beating Devlin in that district. Principles don't get a vote when it comes to party control next session.

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 80
At this date last year: 89
Total run in 2014: 401
In 2013: 257
In 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269